The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 on April 8 to approve the hybrid urban boulevard alternative in the Reimagine North Watt Avenue complete streets plan, endorsing protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks and future transit compatibility while acknowledging concerns from nearby residents and community groups about right-of-way impacts.

Cameron Chiu, principal civil engineer with the County Department of Transportation, recommended the hybrid urban alternative, saying staff "believe that the additional, protected bike lane, wider sidewalks, increased landscaping, and compatibility with Sacog and RRT's long term transit plans justify the additional right of way and costs for the hybrid urban alternative." Chiu said the recommendation balances safety, transit needs and the county’s climate and infill priorities.

The plan covers a roughly 3-mile stretch of North Watt Avenue between Antelope Road and Peacekeeper Way in the North Highlands area. The hybrid alternative would widen Watt Avenue to a consistent six-lane roadway between Elkhorn Boulevard and Antelope Road, accommodate class 4 protected bike lanes separated from traffic and install eight-foot sidewalks and additional landscaping. Staff said the added lane width would preserve compatibility with regional bus rapid transit service assumed by SACOG.

During public comment, homeowner and organizer Zach Friels of the North Highlands Roundtable urged the board to delay action, saying outreach was incomplete and warning against adding lanes that could increase speeds and property impacts. "Don't take any decision on this specific update today," Friels told the board, and said the county had not reached several churches and neighborhood residents in outreach.

DOT said it mailed postcards to properties within a quarter-mile of the corridor, posted flyers, used social media and attended community meetings, but supervisors and members of the public said turnout at in-person workshops was low. County staff said both the minimal-footprint and hybrid alternatives would require some additional right of way and that any acquisitions would follow existing property-acquisition and compensation processes. Staff said design choices can be tailored to reduce impacts on businesses where feasible.

Supervisor comments reflected a mix of priorities: several supervisors stressed the importance of safer bicycle and pedestrian facilities and compatibility with future transit while also urging care to preserve streetscape quality and to avoid intrusive temporary fixtures. The board approved staff’s recommendation to recognize the item’s CEQA-exempt status, receive and file the final report, approve the hybrid urban alternative and direct planning and environmental review to reclassify applicable roadways.